171 (413). To Gregory
LETTERS
also pardon you like a father. This is our attitude toward you, since many others are pleading for you, and above all, your presbyter, whose venerable hair and kindly heart we revere.
But, if you prolong your separation from us, you have fallen altogether from your rank. Moreover, you will also separate yourself from God with your songs and your robes, by which you are leading young maidens, not to God, but to the pit.
171. To Gregoryl I wrote to you just lately concerning Glycerius and the virgins. They have not yet returned even to this day, but they are still delaying; for what reason and how they are doing so, I do not know. Now, I would not bring this as a charge against you, that you are doing this to discredit us either because you are somewhat ill-disposed toward us or wish to show favor to others. Therefore, let them come without fear; and you become surety for this. For, we suffer when our members are cut off, even if they have been rightly cut off. But, if they should resist, the burden falls upon others and we are acquitted.
172. To Bishop Sophroniusl How much joy your letter gave us, we need not write. For,
1 For explanation of content and for date, cf. Letter 169.
1 This Sophronius, otherwise unknown, is distinguished by the Benedictine editors from Sophronius, magister o/ficiorum, to whom Letten
52, 76, 96, and othen are addressed. This letter was written in 374.
SAINT BASIL
you can assuredly surmise it from the nature of the news which you sent. In fact, in your letter you showed us the first fruit of the Spirit, which is charity. Now, what could be more precious to us than this in the present state of affairs, when 'because iniquity has abounded the charity of the many has grown cold'?2 For, nothing is so rare now as a meeting with a spiritual brother, and peaceful conversation, and spiritual fellowship; since we have found this fellowship in your Perfection, we have given sincere thanks to the Lord, asking that we also may share the perfect happiness that is in you.
For, if your letters are such, what will a meeting be? And, if you thus win me from afar, how estimable will you prove to be when you are near at hand? But, be well assured that, if a throng of innumerable cares as also the present inexorable necessities by which we are bound were not holding me fast,
I myself would have hastened to your Perfection. Although the same old weakness of my body greatly hinders me in moving about, nevertheless, because of the profit which I expect,
I would not have taken this obstacle into account. For, to have been considered worthy to be near a man who holds the same sentiments and maintains the faith of the Fathers, as is reported of you by our honored brothers and fellow presbyters, is truly to return to the pristine happiness of the churches, when sufferers from unsound argumentation were few and all were in tranquillity, fulfilling the commandments as workers that have no cause for shame, 3 serving the Lord through frank and simple confession and preserving inviolate and simple the faith in the Father and Son and Holy Spirit.
2 Cf. Matt. 24.12.
3 Cf. 2 Tim. 2.15.